Mansfield Town

Manager Adam Murray was pleased with how our squad showed character to overcome Rainworth Miners Welfare after a challenging first week back in training at Brooksby Melton College.

Goals by Anthony Dwyer, Craig Westcarr, Nicky Hunt and Adi Yussuf (2) helped us to regain the Green Energy Challenge Trophy with a comfortable 5-1 win.

“It was exactly what we wanted,” said Murray.

“It’s been a tough week for the boys. They’ve worked from seven o’clock in the morning until nine o’clock at night, so we wanted them to go in physically and mentally tired and the game worked as a good training session for us.

“We got a lot of things out of it so it was a pleasing afternoon.”

Our boss continued: “With a new group the early games are about getting used to playing with each other and painting certain pictures.

“This week has been mostly working on us without the ball, our discipline and our shape. We haven’t really touched on us [in possession] of the ball, but it was pleasing to see some of the pictures that we’ve spoken about coming out.

“It’s obviously very early doors, but it’s nice to see some of the players’ ability on show.”

Meanwhile, right-back Nicky Hunt was delighted to score on his debut.

“The gaffer has got us really going and up for the season and today I think we showed it,” said the former Accrington Stanley man.

He added: “It’s always good to get on the score-sheet. The team was playing really well at that point. We attacked really well, in the second half especially, but the lads did a good job in the first half too.”